Red Sox Place First Baseman Mike Napoli on the DL

Brian D. Kersey/Getty Images (ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.) -- The Boston Red Sox tough luck continued Sunday with the placement of first baseman Mike Napoli on the disabled list with finger injury. The team was reluctant to make the move because he may not need the full 15 days to get healthy, but it allows them to keep an extra reliever on the team as their pen has struggled mightily lately.

Napoli has tried to play with a dislocated left ring finger since April 15 when he slid head-first into second base. He attempted to play through the injury, but the team feels he needs some time to rest.

"It's impacted [him]," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "To what extent, it's hard to say, but ever since the injury it's pretty clear. He's not one to make excuses, but at the same time coming off the flu and everything he's dealing with, he needs at least a couple more days. This isn't a one-day thing; we're hopeful it's not 15."

In 43 games this season, Napoli is hitting .260 with 5 home runs and 22 RBIs.